To which the Pac-10 replies: We've got spirit yes we do; we've got spirit how bout you?
SEC: We've got more; We've got more
(This is where the Pac-10 stops cheering for fear of being seen as overly fanatical.)
Okay, so that wasn't the exact exchange last week between LSU head football coach, Les Miles, whose apparent motto is "Let's Give Em Something to Talk About," and the coaches of the Pac-10. But you get the idea. It seems that Miles has once again stirred the proverbial pot, and this time he's got the west coast talking. What did he say that was so controversial? Basically, Miles thinks the Pac-10 has an easier road to travel to the BSC Championship game than the SEC does. Top to bottom the SEC is a stronger, tougher conference than the Pac-10. GASP. He said what?!! The response to his comments: Let's make fun of the south.
Les Miles originally made his comments on July 2nd. The following day my husband and I were listening to Colin Cowherd's ESPN radio show, where he basically said that Miles and the rest of the south are overly fanatical about football and our passion drives us to be irrational. Because we have nothing to do in the south, we obsess over football. He actually said that (somewhat paraphrased) on the west coast there are oceans and lakes and people take time to enjoy recreational activitives. Ironically, my husband and I were on our way to the ALABAMA Gulf Coast, where we planned to bike, swim, run, and build sandcastles with our daughter. (Apparently, Mr. Cowherd was reading Sports Illustrated during geography class.)
Last week at the Pac-10 equivalent to our media days, Arizona State head coach, Dennis Erickson, called SEC fans fanatics. (I prefer passionate.) In his article in the L.A. Times, Chris Dufresne said that Miles "for no apparent reason" riled up the SEC fans because we apparently can't get over the fact that Auburn was overlooked in 2004 after going undefeated. Mr. Dufresne, I disagree; he has a very good reason. Like Tommy Tuberville in 2004, Les Miles, who was not raised on grits and sweet tea mind you, is learning that it boils down to one thing: LACK OF RESPECT. The SEC gets no respect. The national media, namely that big eastern syndicate in Connecticut, fails to offer the SEC the respect it deserves despite proving time and again its place within the national spotlight.
It is like the pretty girl who sits home on prom night. She is intelligent, fun, beautiful, yet no one invites her to the big dance. No one seems to like her. Why? Are you afraid you'll fall in love then have to admit you were wrong, national media? It is obvious how it pains those on the major networks to admit fault. I remember almost choking on my breakfast when I heard the pundits debating whether the dynastic USC Trojans could actually beat an NFL team. Two days later, Texas took the Trojans to the woodshed, several times. No admittance that they were wrong. Do I even need to bring up Florida vs. Ohio State?
As a southerner, who is passionate about many things, not just football, it is infuriating to watch the media darlings (USC, Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State) rise to the top of the polls year in and year out despite being toppled, sometimes by SEC teams. We're good and we have the track record to prove it. We toot our own horn because few else will. Les Miles, to you and Tuberville, and the other coaches who care enough to tout your teams, I say, blow, boys, blow. It is a sweet sound to our southern ears.
FYI:
2006 National Champions
Football: Florida; Men & Women's Swimming and Diving: Auburn
Men's Basketball: Florida; Gymnastics: Georgia
W Basketball: Tennessee; Men's Indoor Track & Field: Arkansas
W Outdoor Track & Field: Auburn
W Bowling: Vanderbilt
